Agitator



W. K. VOSS AGITATOR Filed Feb. 27, 1930 Dec. 22, 1931.

Patented Dec. 22, 1931 WALTER K. VOSS, F DAVENPORT, IOWA AGITATOB Application filed February 27, 1930. Serial No. 431,701.

The present invention relates to agitators and more in particular to a novel construction of adjustable agitator for washing ma:- chines or the like.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a novel construction of agitator adapted to be mounted near the water line in a washing machine tub for affording the maximum cleansing action to the clothes that m are being swished through the water.

Another object of the invention is to provide an agitator adapted to be readily adjusted to any height upon the agitator shaft for swishing the clothes through the water and for securing maximum washing efliciency.

The invention further comprehends the provision of an agitator provided with a designated marking or means for denoting to the operator the height or adjustment necessary for the most eflicient washing point. This marking designates the water line and is in full view of the operator when the lid of the tub is in raised position, it being readily understood that the position of the agitator would vary in accordance with the depth of water in the tub. I

A further object is to provide a novel construction of an agitator having a hub portion adapted to encompass the drive shaft and provided with radiating arms and depending impeller elements for swishing the clothes through the washing fluid, these elements being connected by means of an annular ring which adds strength and rigidity thereto. A still further object of the invention is to provide an agitator upon a driving shaft which passes through the bottom of the tub so that the operator may have full view of the necessary setting or adjustment of the agitator.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel' construction of sleeve adapted to slidingly fit over the driving shaft passing through the tub and upon which the agitator is slidingly and adjustably mounted. The. agitator is preferably constructed of metal or other suitable material of greater specific gravity than the liquid in the tub in which it operates. 50 Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efliciency, economy, and ease of assembly, adjustment and detachment, and such further objects, advantages-and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have shown therein a pre- 80 ferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions, without departing from the spirit of. 05 m invention.

. eferring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in vertical cross section through a washing machine tub and the novel construction of agitator and sleeve 1 therefor.

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the sleeve and agitator adjustably mounted thereon.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention is shown as comprising a washing machine tub or the like 1 provided with a bottom 2, top 3, which is adapted to be provided with hinges or the like for permitting ready opening'and closing of the tub, and an agitator or driving shaft 4 passing centrally through the bottom of the tub and extending to a position adjacent the top of the tub. This shaft is given an oscillatory movement by mechanism not disclosed, and in turn oscillates an agitator 5.

Mounted upon the bottom of the tub, is a sleeve or hollow pedestal 6 through which the V shaft 4: passes. Seated upon this sleeve or hollow pedestal is a tubular member or 9 sleeve 7 having reduced portions 8 and 9 at the ends thereof and an enlarged portion 10 intermediate such reduced ends, this. sleeve being secured to the shaft 4 by any suitable means such as a pin or the like. Longitudinally extending grooves 11, on opposite sides of the'sleeve or tubular memher 7, extend from adjacent the reduced portion 9 to substantially the bottom of the body portion, but leaving a shoulder 12 adjoining the reduced portion 8. The longitudinally extending grooves or channels 11 are provided with an enlarged portion 13 at the bottom thereof. These grooves or channels are adapted to receive longitudinally extending ribsor projections 14 on the hub 15 of the agitator whereby the agitator is made slidable on said sleeve 7.

' A thumb nut 16 threadedly engages the hub and passes through one of the ribs or extensions 14, whereby the end of this thumb nut may impinge against the inner wall of one of the channels 11 and thus hold the agitator 5 in any desired position of adjustment.

The hub 15 of the agitator 5 is provided with an enlarged downwardly projecting skirt 17 provided with a plurality of arms or spokes 18 merging into downwardly depending blades or the like 19. The upper portion of the. depending blade is connected to or formed inte a1 with an annular ring 20 for strengthening and giving rigidity to the'agitator structure. Although the agitator 5 is shown as formed or molded into an integral structure, it is of course to be understood that the parts may be made separate and connected together in any suitable manner. I

In order to allow for ready adjustment of the agitator by the operator, a groove 21 is out or formed in the hub 15 of the agitator. This groove denotes the water line, and it is a very easy matter to thus adjust the agitator to the point of maximum washing efliciency. In order to make this marking more pronounced, this groove may be painted or otherwise provided with suitable designating indicia or wording. It is of course understood that the water line would necessarily vary as the depth 'of water in the tub is varied. A great deal of water would make it necessary to raise the agitator, while a small amount of water in the tub would make it necessary to lowenthe agitator.

In order to enable an operator to make the adjustments accurately and with a minimum effort, it is necessary that the designated marking be made easily accessible. present construction where the agitating means or shaft passes through the bottom I th n e means on said hub aid in full view of the op- Having disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. An agitator for washing machines and I with a longitudinally extending groove, an

impelling member slidable on said sleeve and provided with a rib adapted to seat in said groove, and a thumb nut on said member for positioning said member at any desired height on said sleeve.

3. An agitator for washing machines and the like provided with a driving shaft, comprising an impelling member slidable on the shaft and of greater specific gravit than the washing liquid, means for a sitioning the same on said shaft, and means for indicating the dproper position to which said agitator be a j mum washing efiiciency.

4. An agitator for washing machines and the like provided with a driving shaft comprising an impelling member of greater specific gravity than the washing liquid, an upstanding hub on said member, means for adjustabl' positioning the same on said shaft, an means on said hub and in full view of the operator for indicating the proper position to which said agitator be adjusted to give the maximum washing efiiciency.

5. An agitator for washing machines and the like, provided with a driving shaft, comjusta ly pousted to give the maxiprising an impeller provided with a hub havs ing a skirt rtion, and spaced arms radiating from said skirt portion and merging into relatively narrow impelling elements. 1

6. An agitator for washing machines and the like provided with'a driving shaft com prising an impelling member havin upstanding therefrom means for'ad ustably positioning said member on said shaft, and

erator for indicating the proper position to which said agitator be adjusted to give the maximum washing efliciency.

7. 'An agitator for washing machines and the like provided with a driving shaft comprising an impelling means for ad ustab y positioning said hub along said shaft, and indicating means on is ating the proper adjustment of said r relative to the level of washing fluid fiaid hub above said impelling member for mem within the machine.

8. An agitator for washing machines and the like provided a driving shaft o 3 ahubmember having a hub,

prising an impelling member having a hub thereon, and means for adjustably ositioning said hub along said shaft, said ub having an annular groove therein located above "said impelling member in full view of the In witness whereof, I herunto subscribe my name to this specification.

WALTER K. VOSS. 

